Introduction to new age religions

Traditional religions may have the most adherents worldwide, but alternative beliefs and practices are on the rise.

There are numerous alternative religions that exist in our world today. Many of these belief systems are an accumulation of beliefs from all over the world. The fastest growing alternative religion is New Age.

New Age is a title that is given to a myriad of beliefs that were put together in the mid-1950s, although elements can be traced back to the late 1800s. This belief system derives its name from the idea of astrologic transitions. In 1944, the astrologic "Age of Pisces" gave way to the "Age of Aquarius."

This transition marked special significance for the New Age-ers that followed. The astrological change from Pisces to Aquarius also coincided with the last period of a Mayan 52-year cycle. This final stage of Mayan "long counting" of history is referred-in a lose translation-the "times of hell." At the end of this stage, which the Mayans put at December 12, 2012, a new Earth and a new Sun will begin. Thus, we shall literally have a "New Age" of our planet.

While most of us have heard the term at one point or another, the New Age philosophy extends further than just meditation and Enya-sounding music. It is true that there is no one, single dogma of New Age beliefs. In fact, most adherents of this lifestyle would be offended to hear someone refer to their beliefs as dogma. One of the most common ideas throughout the multitude of New Age beliefs is the fact that one person should not tell another how to achieve true spirituality.

Most believers in New Age philosophy share similar beliefs and modes of worship, but these are not set in stone. The spectrum of spiritual ideas range from cosmology and astrology to power-infused crystals and tarot. It takes pieces of spirituality from all of the major religions, as well as those that are not as historically widespread.

It is common for most New Age believers to be pantheistic, meaning they believe in more than one god or idea of god. This may include the understanding of God from the Judeo-Christian tradition, as well as the idea of gods and goddesses from the ancient Greek and Roman religions. Many American believers have drawn from the distinct spiritual beliefs of Native American tribes such as the Sioux and Lakota.

New Age philosophy also derives practices from transcendentalism and environmental movements. It is a common practice to worship some form of Gaia, or Mother Earth. The emphasis on environmental worship has led many adherents to avoid meat and animal byproducts. Large numbers of committed "beings of light," as some New Age-ers term themselves, are vegans who eat strictly organic diets.

Other important elements of New Age belief include more esoteric practices. Believers hold that some places on earth, such as Stonehenge, contain massive amounts of psychic energy. Ideas of Sacred Geometry and numerology are also important to the philosophy. The philosophy also brings events such as near-death experiences, psychic episodes, and close encounters with extraterrestrial beings into the forefront of both spiritual belief and American pop culture.

It is no stretch of the imagination to see that many who are disenfranchised with the traditional religions of our world are turning to something new. And that something is New Age spirituality, a religion that claims the power to change the world lies with the individual spirit. Is there any surprise, then, that New Age books and films such as The Secret remain on bestseller lists?